BeechTalk - BT - Advantages to Experimental-Amateur Built

Username Protected · **Posted:** 28 May 2014, 10:27

But do you really want a fiberglass plane?

That is my draw to the RV's. Composites are great and all, but I'd like to see them in 30 years. If they can withstand the test of time, I am all in.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 28 May 2014, 10:33

Username Protected wrote:

But do you really want a fiberglass plane?

That is my draw to the RV's. Composites are great and all, but I'd like to see them in 30 years. If they can withstand the test of time, I am all in.

In 30 years I will not care. Lots of old late 1980s Velocitys flying along with early 80s Rutan planes. Probably have a 50-year useful life if built properly and kept out of the sun.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 May 2014, 15:17

To those who ask what fiberglass airplanes will look like after 20 years in the sun, consider the experience of the boatbuilding industry which is basically dead, primarily to all the old 1950-1960 hulls sitting around in marinas accross the country and, subjected to a much worse environment than the average GA aircraft. No one but nouveau tech entrepreneurs and plaintiff attorneys buys a new boat anymore because, while these old boats generally require some cosmetic and mechanical maintenance, most are still structurally sound and can be had for a song. I'm pretty sure the structural loads on a sailing hull are equivalent to what GA airframes are subjected to although, to be fair, weight penalties aren't as critical in building all but the most radical sailboats. I bet glass airframes will hold up just as well.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 May 2014, 16:31

Username Protected wrote:

A friend of mine worked on his RV10 empenage kit for a year or so, then gave up and bought a Cirrus. The Cirrus probably cost less than the RV10 would have. I think I'd rather have an RV10 than a Cirrus.

But the RV-10 has no chute?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 May 2014, 21:51

Username Protected wrote:

To those who ask what fiberglass airplanes will look like after 20 years in the sun, consider the experience of the boatbuilding industry which is basically dead, primarily to all the old 1950-1960 hulls sitting around in marinas accross the country and, subjected to a much worse environment than the average GA aircraft. No one but nouveau tech entrepreneurs and plaintiff attorneys buys a new boat anymore because, while these old boats generally require some cosmetic and mechanical maintenance, most are still structurally sound and can be had for a song. I'm pretty sure the structural loads on a sailing hull are equivalent to what GA airframes are subjected to although, to be fair, weight penalties aren't as critical in building all but the most radical sailboats. I bet glass airframes will hold up just as well.

This is very true. There are many 30+ year old boats in my harbor in FL. These boats sit out all year in salt water and when run often have to deal with 1-5' seas. They take a pounding and still are structurally sound.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 May 2014, 23:30

Username Protected wrote:

A friend of mine worked on his RV10 empenage kit for a year or so, then gave up and bought a Cirrus. The Cirrus probably cost less than the RV10 would have. I think I'd rather have an RV10 than a Cirrus.

But the RV-10 has no chute?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 May 2014, 23:32

Username Protected wrote:

To those who ask what fiberglass airplanes will look like after 20 years in the sun, consider the experience of the boatbuilding industry which is basically dead, primarily to all the old 1950-1960 hulls sitting around in marinas accross the country and, subjected to a much worse environment than the average GA aircraft. No one but nouveau tech entrepreneurs and plaintiff attorneys buys a new boat anymore because, while these old boats generally require some cosmetic and mechanical maintenance, most are still structurally sound and can be had for a song. I'm pretty sure the structural loads on a sailing hull are equivalent to what GA airframes are subjected to although, to be fair, weight penalties aren't as critical in building all but the most radical sailboats. I bet glass airframes will hold up just as well.

Good point. Mainly I was tongue in cheek earlier regarding the Cirrus. My Grandfather has a 1970's boat. Good condition although I do notice some delamination happening on the deck.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 May 2014, 00:06

My RV-8 project sits on the gear for the first time tonight.

For all you guys thinking about building, order a tail kit and get started. Consider your homebuilt as a second airplane. This will let you enjoy the project and not feel pressured to finish it on a specific time line. If it takes 10 years, who cares. The way I see it the years will pass regardless. You might as well end up with something you built, regardless of how long it takes to complete.

Building will also provide new skills which you can use to maintain your certified airplane, even if under the watchful eye of your A&P or IA.

Few of the homebuilts will provide the utility of a Beechcraft, but I think it is still a worthwhile project.

Robert

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 May 2014, 00:46

Great point Robert, I think building would be super fun and if I didn't have kids and full time job and a 100LL addiction it would be great thing to spend time on. Just be careful, I've heard RV projects can cause AIDS... (aviation induced divorce syndrome).

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 May 2014, 01:00

Username Protected wrote:

I think building would be super fun

Sure, for a while. But not the 7 years taken by the average completion. Besides, some of us require adult supervision around power tools. So I'm more interested in a builder assist/completion center operation, one that's done that plane a few times before. Which really limits the options to a few of the most popular models, unfortunately.